Prompt: The Eulogy About Me That I Would Love to be True

So here’s what’s happening. I’m going along through life, one day at a time, one step forward in progress, two steps backwards in struggles, but lessons being learned all along the way.

I’ve been practicing writing, and practicing, and practicing some more. I’m practicing so much because I’m afraid I don’t really have what it takes to be as good a writer as I want to be, so I practice a thousand hours a day in hopes that the practice will just somehow magically override the lack of talent, and magnificent writing will just gush forth someday.

Today I was having mental blockage with what I could write about, in a blog post. But I wanted to do something. So I looked up prompts and came across the eulogy idea.

It caught my interest immediately. Because I know how I’ve lived my life so far, the best I could with the abilities I’ve had, but what I know for sure is that I want whatever life I have left to be better, more meaningful and with more purpose and passion. I liked the idea of writing this out in the form of a eulogy, so that at the end of the day, if any of this gets said about me, it will be true, and it will mean I lived the second half of my life in the manner that I desired to live it, including setting a good example for how my children can do the same.

It did turn out to be an interesting and insightful experience, writing this eulogy. And I highly recommend it for everyone.

Prompt: The Eulogy About Me That I Would Love to be True

Aimee was a vibrant soul. She literally lit up the room whenever she entered. She was always full of joy and always eager to help out, no matter what the problem was.

Blessed to be the mother of three wonderful children, and grandmother to a precious little girl, she had a hard time juggling the demands of work, school and family, but she never complained at her unenviable task, nor did she ever turn anyone away – be it family, friends or local faces wanting to stop by the house for a quick chat.

Aimee had an inherent love of writing – in particular pieces she wrote when she was being the voice for someone in need, who could not speak for themselves for whatever reasons. She’d always find time and put aside everything to focus on the importance of the project she was writing, so that it could be most influential.

She loved reading and books. She would spend her last dollar on the most recent book she just had to have – the one her life wouldn’t be complete without – this was every book! Some of her favorite authors, who were important influences in her own writing were Natalie Golberg, Anne Lamott, Carson McCullers, Sandra Cisneros and Sue Monk Kidd. But there were so many others also.

She would always talk about these authors as if they’d been life-long friends. Even though the only one she’d ever met was Sandra Cisneros at a book reading. She would speak about the warmth which this author radiated. She talked about how Sandra gave each and every individual a hug, and then she looked each person in the eye throughout the entirety of each and every conversation, until the last person had left for the evening.

Aimee thrived, in her own way, always keeping busy, her life-long pursuit of knowledge and personal growth always being her top priority. She always said she wasn’t done growing into the best version of herself, that she wanted to bring forth in contribution to her community and her family, for whatever amount of time God granted her life.

Her absolute favorite thing was always her children and spending time with them, porch-time, as she referred to it, where many profound conversations about life and every other topic imaginable were held. It was her mission in life to have this kind of relationship with her children. Porch-time could be held anywhere, sometimes it was in a coffee shop, sometimes it was in the living room. She lived for porch-time.

Aimee was born in a small town in Texas, called Seguin. Her family relocated to Austin, Texas when she was eleven years old. She remained a small-town girl at heart throughout her life, and always dreamed of providing this lifestyle to her children and grandchildren. She loved sitting on the porch with her family, having cool slices of watermelon and peeling pecans, and running through the yard bare-foot.

She excelled as a student in elementary school, but upon entering middle school, she became distracted and confused by life. She did manage to graduate from high school. Although it took the rest of her life to do it, she eventually earned her Associates Degree in Creative Writing. She always emphasized the importance of a good education to her to her children and grandchildren.

She had moved out of home at a young age to explore the world and create her own stamp on life.

Aimee continued her passions of reading and writing to her heart’s content, up until her last breath. She also worked hard to get money together to take her family on travels, she believed that experiencing other people and other places, could affect one’s perspective on the world and life overall.

Some lasting memories of Aimee are simple, she was a simple yet deep thinking and feeling person, hard-working, passionate figure of strength who never wavered in support and love of her family, and who persevered when times were tough.

It is a great privilege to write this eulogy to express the sadness we feel over the loss of her.

Mom, thank you for always loving and believing in us – and the warmth we shared during your precious time on earth.

God bless you. May you rest in eternal peace. And may you, Grandma and Great-Grandma, and the rest of our family who have gone before us, enjoy much porch-time in heaven.